Navigation system with roadway lane guidance mechanism and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

A navigation system includes: a control unit; a communication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to determine a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode; identify a restricted use lane based on a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; and determine a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on a device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/788,638 filed Jan. 4, 2019, and the subjectmatter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a navigationsystem, and more particularly to a system for roadway lane guidance.

BACKGROUND

Modern consumer and industrial electronics, especially devices such asgraphical navigation systems, cellular phones, and vehicle integratednavigation and computing systems, are providing increasing levels offunctionality to support modern life, including navigation and routeguidance services. Research and development in the existing technologiescan take a myriad of different directions.

As users become more empowered with the growth of navigation devices andvehicle based navigation services, new and old paradigms begin to takeadvantage of this new device space. There are many technologicalsolutions to take advantage of this new device capability to enhance oraugment navigation and route guidance. However, users are often notprovided with the ability to automatically determine a vehicle laneposition while using a vehicle during various road conditions.

Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system with a roadway laneguidance mechanism for operator awareness while using a navigationsystem. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures,along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishingopportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace,it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems.Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies andperformance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgencyto the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.

Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developmentshave not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to theseproblems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention provides a navigation system,including: a control unit; a communication unit, coupled to the controlunit, configured to: determining a lane position on a current roadwayfor a free-drive mode; identifying a restricted use lane based on adistance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; anddetermining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and thelane position for displaying on a device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of operation ofa navigation system including: determining a lane position on a currentroadway for a free-drive mode; identifying a restricted use lane basedon a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; anddetermining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and thelane position for displaying on a device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer readable medium including instructions for execution including:determining a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode;identifying a restricted use lane based on a distance and the laneposition ahead on the current roadways; and determining a roadway lanealong with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displayingon a device.

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements inaddition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elementswill become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a navigation system with lane position guidance mechanism inan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a free-drive mode of the user vehicle of thenavigation system.

FIG. 3 is an example of the free-drive mode of the navigation system.

FIG. 4 is a further example of the free-drive mode of the navigationsystem.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of the navigation system.

FIG. 6 is a further exemplary block diagram of the navigation system.

FIG. 7 is a control flow of the navigation system.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of operation of the navigation systemin a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring an embodiment of the presentinvention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and processsteps are not disclosed in detail.

The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic,and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for theclarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawingfigures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease ofdescription generally show similar orientations, this depiction in thefigures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can beoperated in any orientation.

The term “module” referred to herein can include software, hardware, ora combination thereof in an embodiment of the present invention inaccordance with the context in which the term is used. For example, thesoftware can be machine code, firmware, embedded code, and applicationsoftware. Also, for example, the hardware can be circuitry, processor,computer, integrated circuit, integrated circuit cores, a pressuresensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS),passive devices, or a combination thereof. Further, if a module iswritten in the apparatus claims section below, the modules are deemed toinclude the specialized hardware circuitry for the purposes and thescope of apparatus claims.

The modules in the following description of the embodiments can becoupled to one other as described or as shown. The coupling can bedirect or indirect without or with, respectively, intervening itemsbetween coupled items. The coupling can be physical contact or bycommunication between items.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a navigation system 100 withlane position guidance mechanism in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The navigation system 100 includes a first device 102, suchas a client or a server, connected to a second device 106, such as aclient or server. The first device 102 can communicate with the seconddevice 106 with a communication path 104, such as a wireless or wirednetwork.

For example, the first device 102 can be of any of a variety ofcomputing devices, such as a cellular phone, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a notebook computer, vehicle embedded navigation system, orcomputing device. The first device 102 can couple, either directly orindirectly, to the communication path 104 to communicate with the seconddevice 106 or can be a stand-alone device.

The second device 106 can be any of a variety of centralized ordecentralized computing devices, sensor devices to take measurements orrecord environmental information, such as sensor instruments, sensorequipment, or a sensor array. For example, the second device 106 can bea multimedia computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer,grid-computing resources, a virtualized computer resource, cloudcomputing resource, routers, switches, peer-to-peer distributedcomputing devices, or a combination thereof.

The second device 106 can be mounted externally or internally to avehicle, centralized in a single room or within a vehicle, distributedacross different rooms, distributed across different geographicallocations, embedded within a telecommunications network. The seconddevice 106 can couple with the communication path 104 to communicatewith the first device 102.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is described withthe second device 106 as a computing device, although it is understoodthat the second device 106 can be different types of devices, such as astandalone sensor or measurement device. Also for illustrative purposes,the navigation system 100 is shown with the second device 106 and thefirst device 102 as end points of the communication path 104, althoughit is understood that the navigation system 100 can have a differentpartition between the first device 102, the second device 106, and thecommunication path 104. For example, the first device 102, the seconddevice 106, or a combination thereof can also function as part of thecommunication path 104.

The communication path 104 can span and represent a variety of networksand network topologies. For example, the communication path 104 caninclude wireless communication, wired communication, optical,ultrasonic, or the combination thereof. Satellite communication,cellular communication, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association standard(IrDA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), and worldwide interoperability formicrowave access (WiMAX) are examples of wireless communication that canbe included in the communication path 104. Ethernet, digital subscriberline (DSL), fiber to the home (FTTH), and plain old telephone service(POTS) are examples of wired communication that can be included in thecommunication path 104. Further, the communication path 104 can traversea number of network topologies and distances. For example, thecommunication path 104 can include direct connection, personal areanetwork (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network(MAN), wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown a representation of a roadlane model 201 of the navigation system 100. The road lane model 201 isan estimation of the lanes on a current roadway. For example, the roadlane model 201 can be localized to the geographic location around a uservehicle 212. The user vehicle 212 can be a vehicle occupied by thesystem user (not shown) of the first device 102, such as the occupant oroperator of the user vehicle 212.

For example, the road lane model 201 can be a portion of a planned route202 include a lane delineation marker 204 for roadway lanes 210 on aroadway relative to the location of a user vehicle 212. As an example,the road lane model 201 can be localized to include the lane delineationmarker 204 for a current roadway 206. It is understood that the plannedroute 202 includes a starting point and a destination with the plannedroute between the two.

The road lane model 201 can include lane delineation marker 204 forroadway lanes 210 on a roadway relative to the location of a uservehicle 212. The lane delineation marker 204 are estimations orapproximations of the roadway lanes 210 that divide vehicle traffic onthe roadway. For example, the road lane model 201 can be localized toinclude the lane delineation marker 204 for the current roadway 206,which is the roadway on which the user vehicle 212 is currentlytravelling. For example, the current roadway 206 can be a street, analleyway, a highway, a freeway, a parkway, a toll road, or unpaved path.

In general, the lane delineation marker 204 can correspond with theroadway lanes 210, which are the actual lane delineations on the currentroadway 206. As an example, reference objects in the environment aroundthe user vehicle 212 can be used as a basis for alignment for the lanedelineation marker 204. The reference objects, for example, can includepainted lane marking, raised pavement markers, reflective lane markers,traffic barriers, pylons, cones, flares, illuminators, other markings orfeatures that indicate the existence of a traffic lane, or a combinationthereof. As another example, the reference objects can include physicalfeatures of the roadway including gaps or edges between concrete orpaved segments; metallic rails for trolleys or cable cars that embeddedor integrated with the road way; changes in or transitions between theroad surface such as from an asphalt, concrete, or paved surface to agravel or unpaved surface which generally exist along the edge of aroadway; or a combination thereof.

The road lane model 201 can be used by the navigation system 100 todetermine a lane position 208 of the user vehicle 212 on the currentroadway 206. The lane position 208 identifies the roadway lanes 210 ofthe current roadway 206 in which the user vehicle 212 is located orentering.

In an implementation of the navigation system 100, the lane position 208can be determined based on an initial point of entry of the user vehicle212 onto the current roadway 206. For example, the lane position 208 canbe based on a measurement of the number and direction of lateral shifts216 in position along the current roadway 206 the user vehicle 212 hasmade since entry onto the current roadway 206.

For illustrative purposes, the initial point of entry is depicted as alane merge section 228. The lane merge section 228 are sections of thecurrent roadway 206 where two or more instances of the roadway lane 210merge into a single instance of the roadway lane 210. As an example, thelane merge section 228 can include a highway on-ramp or off-ramp, anintersection with other roadways, instances or types of the currentroadway 206, or an exit from a vehicle parking area. The lane mergesection 228 can lead to a temporarily restricted lane 218. Thetemporarily restricted lane 218 can be a lane temporarily closed by atraffic accident, construction, an emergency vehicle, flooding, rockslide, snow, or a combination thereof.

In another implementation, the navigation system 100 can determine thelane position 208 of the user vehicle 212 based on information from aglobal navigation satellite system, global positioning system, cellulartriangulation system, dead reckoning, or a combination thereof. Detailsfor calculating the lane position 208 of the user vehicle 212 based onthe road lane model 201 will be discussed below.

The navigation system 100 can include monitoring of proximately locatedvehicles 214. The proximately located vehicles 214 are vehicles withinproximity to the user vehicle 212. For example, the proximately locatedvehicles 214 can be a vehicle that is within a specific range ordistance of the user vehicle 212. An example of the specific range canbe a predetermined value, such as within 100 or 1,000 feet, or adistance determined by the user or manufacturer of the user vehicle 212.In another example, the specific range or distance can be based onlimitations of sensors used to detect the proximately located vehicles214. Details regarding these features will be discussed below.

It has been discovered that the navigation system 100 can monitor theproximately located vehicles 214 in order to provide warnings and aninitial point of entry 234. The navigation system 100 can help preventaccidents by maintaining awareness of the proximately located vehicles214. The road lane model 201 can monitor the lateral shifts 216 of theuser vehicle 212 in order to determine the lane position 208 of the uservehicle 212 on the current roadway 206. The counting of the lane changemaneuvers can indicate which of the roadway lanes 210 in which the uservehicle 212 is operating. The lane position 208 can be based on amonitoring of the number and direction of lateral shifts 216 in positionalong the current roadway 206 the user vehicle 212 has made since entryonto the current roadway 206. By monitoring the proximately locatedvehicles 214 and the lane position 208 of the user vehicle 212, thenavigation system 100 can provide safe navigation instructions. Thenavigation system 100 can improve traffic safety, reduce congestion, andassist in staying on an unplanned route by notifying the operator of theuser vehicle 212 which lane position 208 they should be in to bestprepare for the initial point of entry 234.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown an example of a free-drivemode 301 of the user vehicle 212 of the navigation system 100. Thefree-drive mode 301 can be a utilization of the user vehicle 212 withoutstarting the planned route 202 of FIG. 2. such as a dashboard or centerconsole interface, a vehicle integrated heads-up display, or a separatestandalone device, such as a stand-alone heads-up display, mobiledevice, a navigation device, mobile phone, or mobile computing device.

In an implementation of the first device 102 that is integrated with theuser vehicle 212, the system interface 302 can include a displayinterface 303, such as a heads-up display, a projector capable ofprojecting images on the windshield or windscreen of the user vehicle212, an instrument panel with a touch screen, keypad, other interfacecomponents, or a combination thereof. For illustrative purposes, theuser vehicle 212 is depicted by a graphical representation on thedisplay interface 303.

The system interface 302 can project on a navigation interface 304 ofthe navigation system 100. The navigation interface 304 can include aheads-up display, center console display, a console stacked display, afree-standing display for providing a graphical representation of ageographical area. For example, the navigation interface 304 can depictthe geographic area around the user vehicle 212. As a specific example,the navigation interface 304 can display a graphical representation ofthe current roadway 206, which is the roadway on which the user vehicle212 is currently travelling, and number of the roadway lanes 210 for thecurrent roadway 206. Examples of the current roadway 206 can be astreet, an alleyway, a highway, a freeway, a parkway, a toll road, orunpaved path.

As another specific example, the navigation interface 304 can displaygraphical representation, a projection, or augmented realitysuperimposition of the lane delineations marker 204. The lanedelineation marker 204 are estimations or approximations of the roadwaylanes 210 that divide vehicle traffic on the current roadway 206. It isunderstood that the navigation interface 304 is a component of the firstdevice 102 of FIG. 1 embodied as the user vehicle 212.

The navigation interface 304 is depicted projecting the free-drive mode301. The open navigation session, also referred to as the free-drivemode 301, can occur when the system user (not shown) is using thenavigation system 100 without the planned route 202. For example, thefree-drive mode 301 can be when the system user is driving the uservehicle 212 with the map interface currently displaying on thenavigation interface 304 of the first device 102 and the navigationsystem 100 is not engaged for providing navigation instructions orguidance, such as turn by turn directions, to a particular destination.

In general, during use of geographic map programs or navigationapplication used in the free-drive mode 301, system users are usuallynot provided any guidance or information about which of the roadwaylanes 210 on the current roadway 206 to take or which of the roadwaylanes 210 to avoid. For example, when the user vehicle 212 approaches anintersection between roadways while driving on the current roadway 206that includes multiple instances of the roadway lanes 210, it is noteasy to tell which of the roadway lanes 210 will become turn-only lanes,which of the roadway lanes 210 will go straight, which roadway lanes 210might end, or a combination thereof.

As a specific example, the system user driving the user vehicle 212 canintend to proceed straight through the roadway intersection, but may becaught in the roadway lanes 210 with a turn-only restriction and willhave to perform a lane change maneuver at the last minute, or end upmaking an unwanted turn maneuver. As another specific example, some ofthe roadway lanes 210 located in the middle or center of the roadway canalso be used by vehicles traveling in both directions to make turnmaneuvers, thus extra caution should be exercised when using such lanesso as to not run into oncoming vehicles. In yet a further example, thereare certain instances of the roadway lanes 210 that are to be used forcarpool or high occupancy vehicles (HOV), and driving in such laneswithout the required number of passengers in the vehicle can result in afine.

The navigation system 100 can address the potential issues with theroadway lanes 210 encountered during the free-drive mode 301 bypresenting roadway lane indicator 306 on the navigation interface 304 asa “Smart Lane Advisor”. The roadway lane indicator 306 is informationabout the lanes of a roadway. For example, the roadway lane indicator306 can include information specific to an instance of the roadway lanes210, such as lane markings that indicate allowed turn maneuvers,notification of roadway lanes 210 ending or merging, notification of aforced maneuver, such as a turn only, or vehicle type or capacityrestrictions such as carpool or HOV lanes, toll lanes, bicycle lanes,bus only lanes. As another example, the roadway lane indicator 306 caninclude information about up-coming instance of an intersecting roadwayor roadway junction with the current roadway 206, including anintersecting roadway identity 308 or roadway junction such as the nameor number, a real time estimated distance 310 of the user vehicle 212from the intersecting roadway or roadway junction, or other information.

The navigation interface 304 can include presentation of the roadwaylane indicator 306. For example, the navigation interface 304 caninclude presentation of the roadway lane indicator 306 of the locationof the roadway lanes 210 with the restriction for bicycle travel only.As another example, the navigation interface 304 can includepresentation of the roadway lane indicator 306 for vehicle traffic flow,such as a representation of lane markings of the turn only lanerestriction; an icon or symbol representing the lane with throughtraffic; an icon or symbol representing that the lane permits vehiclestraveling in both directions of traffic such as for the purpose ofturning. In a further example, the navigation interface 304 can includepresentation of the roadway lane indicator 306 of the intersectioninformation such as the name of the upcoming instance of theintersecting roadway, a representation of the distance to the upcomingintersecting roadway, or a combination thereof.

The navigation interface 304 can include presentation of the laneposition 208 of the user vehicle 212 on the current roadway 206, or acombination thereof on the navigation interface 304. The lane position208 identifies the roadway lanes 210 of the current roadway 206 in whichthe user vehicle 212 is located. For illustrative purposes, the laneposition 208 is presented as a box labeled current vehicle lane (CVL) isthe roadway lane indicator 306, however, it is understood that the laneposition 208 can be represented differently. For example, the laneposition 208 can be presented by a graphical representation of the uservehicle 212, or other graphical icon. As a further example, thenavigation interface 304 can include presentation of the lanedelineation marker 204 for each of the roadway lanes 210. The roadwaylanes 210 can include a bicycle lane 312, a limited action lane 314,such as a turn only lane or a bi-directional turn lane, a through lane316, or a combination thereof.

It has been discovered that the navigation system 100, while operatingin the free drive mode can project the useful lane information for anapproaching intersection or lane restriction. By projecting on thenavigation interface 304, the limitations of the roadway lanes 210 canbe verified before the user vehicle 212 reaches the intersection beingapproached. Since the navigation system 100 does not have a destinationloaded, the navigation interface 304 can provide lane information for anapproaching navigation possibility.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown a further example of thefree-drive mode 301 of the navigation system 100. As an example, FIG. 3depicts the free-drive mode 301 including presentation of the roadwaylane indicator 306 related to the current roadway 206 withoutcross-traffic roadways or an express highway, such as freeway,turnpikes, toll road, or parkway. As a specific example, the navigationinterface 304 can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator 306of the location in the roadway lanes 210 with restricted use lanes 402,such as for carpool, high occupancy vehicle lanes, exit lane, merginglane, or a combination thereof.

As another specific example, the navigation interface 304 can includepresentation of the roadway lane indicator 306 for vehicle traffic flow,such as icon or symbol representing upcoming lane merges or lane endings404, distance 406 to the lane merge or ending, or a combination thereof.In a further specific example, the navigation interface 304 can includepresentation of the roadway lane indicator 306 of a next highwayjunction 408 such as the name or number of the upcoming highway, arepresentation of the distance 406 to the upcoming highway junction, theinstance of the roadway lane 210 for the highway junction, or acombination thereof.

The navigation interface 304 can include presentation of the laneposition 208 of the user vehicle 212 on the current roadway 206, or acombination thereof on the navigation interface 304. For illustrativepurposes, the lane position 208 is presented as the roadway laneindicator 306, such as a box labeled current vehicle lane (CVL),however, it is understood that the lane position 208 can be representeddifferently. For example, the lane position can be presented by agraphical representation of the user vehicle 212, or other graphicalicon. As a further example, the navigation interface 304 can includepresentation of the lane delineation marker 204 for each of the roadwaylanes 210.

In an emergency situation, the second device 106 of FIG. 1 can load anemergency message into the system interface 302 of FIG. 3 in order toalert the operator of the user vehicle 212 of an approaching emergencyvehicle 410. The navigation interface 304 can display the approachingemergency vehicle 410 on the navigation interface 304. The navigationsystem 100 can issue the alert by displaying the approaching emergencyvehicle 410 and issuing an audible instruction to change lanes 412 tothe right and allow the approaching emergency vehicle 410 to pass. It isunderstood that the siren of the approaching emergency vehicle 410cannot be heard in the user vehicle 212 that is a closed car. Byproviding the display of the approaching emergency vehicle 410 andissuing the audible alert can reduce the risk of an accident between theapproaching emergency vehicle 410 and the user vehicle 212. In extremesituations the operator of the user vehicle 212 can be alerted to exitthe current roadway 206 by an exit lane 414.

It has been discovered that the navigation interface 304 of thenavigation system 100 can provide navigation support while drivingwithout a destination loaded in the system. By way of an example, the“free driving mode” provides useful information to the operator of theuser vehicle 212 when it is dark or during impaired visibility, such asduring snow, rain, fog, or other impairments. The navigation interface304 can provide emergency alerts of the approaching emergency vehicle410 before the user vehicle 212 becomes an impediment to the approachingemergency vehicle 410. Thus, the navigation interface 304 can improvesafety of the user vehicle 212, while enabling the operator of the uservehicle 212 to confidently navigate the current roadway 206 in reducedvisibility situations.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown an exemplary block diagram ofthe navigation system 100. The navigation system 100 can include thefirst device 102, the communication path 104, and the second device 106.The first device 102 can send information in a first device transmission508 over the communication path 104 to the second device 106. The seconddevice 106 can send information in a second device transmission 510 overthe communication path 104 to the first device 102.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is shown with thefirst device 102 as a client device, although it is understood that thenavigation system 100 can have the first device 102 as a different typeof device. For example, the first device 102 can be a server having adisplay interface.

Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is shown withthe second device 106 as a server, although it is understood that thenavigation system 100 can have the second device 106 as a different typeof device. For example, the second device 106 can be a client device.

For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention,the first device 102 will be described as a client device and the seconddevice 106 will be described as a server device. The embodiment of thepresent invention is not limited to this selection for the type ofdevices. The selection is an example of an embodiment of the presentinvention. The first device 102 can be the user vehicle 212 of FIG. 2.

The first device 102 can include a first control unit 512, a firststorage unit 514, a first communication unit 516, a first user interface518, and location unit 520. The first control unit 512 can include afirst control interface 522. The first control unit 512 can execute afirst software 526 to provide the intelligence of the navigation system100.

The first control unit 512 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the first control unit 512 can be a processor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) an embedded processor, amicroprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite statemachine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combinationthereof. The first control interface 522 can be used for communicationbetween the first control unit 512 and other functional units in thefirst device 102. The first control interface 522 can also be used forcommunication that is external to the first device 102.

The first control interface 522 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first control interface 522 can be implemented in different ways andcan include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the first controlinterface 522. For example, the first control interface 522 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The location unit 520 can generate location information, currentheading, and current speed of the first device 102, as examples. Thelocation unit 520 can be implemented in many ways. For example, thelocation unit 520 can function as at least a part of a globalpositioning system (GPS) such as a GPS receiver, a global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) receiver, an inertial navigation system, acellular-tower location system, a pressure location system, or anycombination thereof.

The location unit 520 can include a location interface 532. The locationinterface 532 can be used for communication between the location unit520 and other functional units in the first device 102. The locationinterface 532 can also be used for communication that is external to thefirst device 102.

The location interface 532 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsphysically separate from the first device 102.

The location interface 532 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the location unit 520. The location interface 532 can beimplemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 522.

The first storage unit 514 can store the first software 526. The firststorage unit 514 can also store the relevant information. For example,first storage unit 514 can store information such as the mapinformation.

The first storage unit 514 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the first storage unit 514 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The first storage unit 514 can include a first storage interface 524.The first storage interface 524 can be used for communication betweenand other functional units in the first device 102. The first storageinterface 524 can also be used for communication that is external to thefirst device 102.

The first storage interface 524 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first storage interface 524 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the first storage unit 514. The first storage interface524 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 522.

The first communication unit 516 can enable external communication toand from the first device 102. For example, the first communication unit516 can permit the first device 102 to communicate with the seconddevice 106 of FIG. 1, an attachment, such as a peripheral device or acomputer desktop, and the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 516 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the first device 102 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The first communication unit 516 caninclude active and passive components, such as microelectronics or anantenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 516 can include a first communicationinterface 528. The first communication interface 528 can be used forcommunication between the first communication unit 516 and otherfunctional units in the first device 102. The first communicationinterface 528 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The first communication interface 528 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the first communication unit 516. The first communication interface528 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 522.

The first user interface 518 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the first device 102. The first user interface 518 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the first user interface 518 can include a keypad, a touchpad,soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, an infrared sensor for receivingremote signals, or any combination thereof to provide data andcommunication inputs.

The first user interface 518 can include a first display interface 530.The first display interface 530 can include a display, a projector, avideo screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The first control unit 512 can operate the first user interface 518 todisplay information generated by the navigation system 100. The firstcontrol unit 512 can also execute the first software 526 for the otherfunctions of the navigation system 100. The first control unit 512 canfurther execute the first software 526 for interaction with thecommunication path 104 via the first communication unit 516.

The second device 106 can be optimized for implementing an embodiment ofthe present invention in a multiple device embodiment with the firstdevice 102. The second device 106 can provide the additional or higherperformance processing power compared to the first device 102. Thesecond device 106 can include a second control unit 534, a secondcommunication unit 536, and a second user interface 538.

The second user interface 538 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the second device 106. The second user interface 538 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the second user interface 538 can include a keypad, atouchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, or any combinationthereof to provide data and communication inputs. Examples of the outputdevice of the second user interface 538 can include a second displayinterface 540. The second display interface 540 can include a display, aprojector, a video screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The second control unit 534 can execute a second software 542 to providethe intelligence of the second device 106 of the navigation system 100.The second software 542 can operate in conjunction with the firstsoftware 526. The second control unit 534 can provide additionalperformance compared to the first control unit 512.

The second control unit 534 can operate the second user interface 538 todisplay information. The second control unit 534 can also execute thesecond software 542 for the other functions of the navigation system100, including operating the second communication unit 536 tocommunicate with the first device 102 over the communication path 104.

The second control unit 534 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the second control unit 534 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, hardware control logic, a hardwarefinite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or acombination thereof.

The second control unit 534 can include a second controller interface544. The second controller interface 544 can be used for communicationbetween the second control unit 534 and other functional units in thesecond device 106. The second controller interface 544 can also be usedfor communication that is external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 544 can receive information from theother functional units or from external sources, or can transmitinformation to the other functional units or to external destinations.The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources anddestinations external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 544 can be implemented in different waysand can include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the second controllerinterface 544. For example, the second controller interface 544 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

A second storage unit 546 can store the second software 542. The secondstorage unit 546 can also store map or mapping information. The secondstorage unit 546 can be sized to provide the additional storage capacityto supplement the first storage unit 514.

For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit 546 is shown as asingle element, although it is understood that the second storage unit546 can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrativepurposes, the navigation system 100 is shown with the second storageunit 546 as a single hierarchy storage system, although it is understoodthat the navigation system 100 can have the second storage unit 546 in adifferent configuration. For example, the second storage unit 546 can beformed with different storage technologies forming a memory hierarchalsystem including different levels of caching, main memory, rotatingmedia, or off-line storage.

The second storage unit 546 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the second storage unit 546 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The second storage unit 546 can include a second storage interface 548.The second storage interface 548 can be used for communication betweenother functional units in the second device 106. The second storageinterface 548 can also be used for communication that is external to thesecond device 106.

The second storage interface 548 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the second device 106.

The second storage interface 548 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the second storage unit 546. The second storageinterface 548 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 544.

The second communication unit 536 can enable external communication toand from the second device 106. For example, the second communicationunit 536 can permit the second device 106 to communicate with the firstdevice 102 over the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 536 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the second device 106 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The second communication unit 536can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics oran antenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 536 can include a second communicationinterface 550. The second communication interface 550 can be used forcommunication between the second communication unit 536 and otherfunctional units in the second device 106. The second communicationinterface 550 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The second communication interface 550 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the second communication unit 536. The second communicationinterface 550 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 544.

The first communication unit 516 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the second device 106 in the first devicetransmission 508. The second device 106 can receive information in thesecond communication unit 536 from the first device transmission 508 ofthe communication path 104.

The second communication unit 536 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the first device 102 in the second devicetransmission 510. The first device 102 can receive information in thefirst communication unit 516 from the second device transmission 510 ofthe communication path 104. The navigation system 100 can be executed bythe first control unit 512, the second control unit 534, or acombination thereof. For illustrative purposes, the second device 106 isshown with the partition having the second user interface 538, thesecond storage unit 546, the second control unit 534, and the secondcommunication unit 536, although it is understood that the second device106 can have a different partition. For example, the second software 542can be partitioned differently such that some or all of its function canbe in the second control unit 534 and the second communication unit 536.Also, the second device 106 can include other functional units not shownin FIG. 5 for clarity.

The second device 106 can provide emergency communication alerts bymonitoring the route of the approaching emergency vehicle 410 of FIG. 4.The second device 106 can issue an emergency alert 552 by communicatingwith the first device 102 through the second device transmission 510. Anemergency vehicle monitor 554 can keep track of the approachingemergency vehicle 410 of FIG. 4 operating in the vicinity of the uservehicle 212 of FIG. 2. The emergency vehicle monitor 554 can be ahardware interface that is communicatively coupled to the second controlinterface 544 for delivering the emergency alert 552 to the first device102. It is understood that the emergency alert 552 can be delivered tothe first device 102 in the form of a message that includes a visualportion and an audio portion of the emergency alert 552.

The functional units in the first device 102 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The first device 102 canwork individually and independently from the second device 106 and thecommunication path 104.

The functional units in the second device 106 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The second device 106 canwork individually and independently from the first device 102 and thecommunication path 104.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is described byoperation of the first device 102 and the second device 106. It isunderstood that the first device 102 and the second device 106 canoperate any of the modules and functions of the navigation system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown a further exemplary hardwareblock diagram of a roadway lane guidance mechanism 601. As an example,the roadway lane guidance mechanism 601 can include a navigationprocessing module 602. The navigation processing module 602 is forgenerating the information about the lane position 208 of FIG. 2 of theuser vehicle 212 of FIG. 2 on the current roadway 206 of FIG. 2 based onvarious sources of information.

For example, the navigation processing module 602 can generate laneposition information 604, such as the total number of the roadway lanes210 of FIG. 2 on the current roadway 206, the location of the lanedelineation marker 204 of FIG. 2 for roadway lanes 210, the laneposition 208 of the user vehicle 212 on the current roadway 206, or acombination thereof and associated confidence levels. The navigationprocessing module 602 can be a hardware structure configured to generatethe lane position information 604 based on sensor information 638, uservehicle location information 630, map information 622, or a combinationthereof. Details regarding generating the lane position information 604will be discussed below.

The sensor information 638 can be information recorded or measured by asensor unit 640, about the area or environment surrounding the uservehicle 212. The sensor information 638, can include various types ofinformation regarding objects, such as the proximately located vehicles214 of FIG. 2, surrounding the user vehicle 212 and can be provided in anumber of different formats and states. The format of the sensorinformation 638 can be based on the source of the sensor information638. For example, the state of the sensor information 638 can be raw orunprocessed information, such as raw signals or images, partiallyprocessed information, or processed information. More specifically, thesensor information 638 can be raw or unprocessed information orpartially processed information sensor readings measured or recorded bysensor unit 640.

The sensor unit 640 can be a hardware device that includes sensors anddetection instruments for monitoring the user vehicle 212 and theimmediate surroundings. For example, the sensor unit 640 can include oneor more instruments or sensors, such as a camera, a microphone, aninfrared detector, a radar detector, a light detection and ranging(LIDAR) unit, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), or a combinationthereof. The sensor unit 640 can include instruments and sensorsattached to or integrated with the user vehicle 212 or external to theuser vehicle 212, such as sensors or instruments mounted on the side ofthe current road 206. In an implementation, the sensor unit 640 can be apart of or coupled to the first device 102, the second device 106, or acombination thereof. As an example, the sensor unit 640 can includemultiple instances of a sensor type integrated with or mounted atdifferent locations in or on the user vehicle 212.

The user vehicle location information 630, which is the geographic orphysical location of the user vehicle 212. For example, the user vehiclelocation information 630 can interface with the location unit 520 ofFIG. 5 of the first device 102 to determine the user vehicle locationinformation 630, such as a global positioning system (GPS) or a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) coordinates or the longitude andlatitude of the user vehicle 212 provided by a GNSS receiver 632.

The map information 622 is information representing a geographic areaproximate the user vehicle 212. For example, the map information 622 cancorrespond to the position of the user vehicle 212 and can includeinformation about travel infrastructure, such as the current road 206and highways; specific location information, such as building addresses;geographic features, such as terrain, bodies of water, and topography;or a combination thereof. As a specific example, the map information 622can include lane information 624. The lane information 624 providesdetails about the current roadway 206.

For example, the lane information 624 can be information about thenumber and dimensions of the lane position 208 on the current road 206.The lane information 624 can include information, such as a count of theroadway lanes 210 for the current roadway 206, which is a count of thenumber of the roadway lanes 210, an estimated width of the roadway lanes210, the existence and width of a road shoulder area, a total estimatedwidth of the roadway, a speed limit, or a combination thereof. Inanother specific example, the map information 622 can includeinformation of related roadways, such as intersections with the currentroadway 206, including merge section 228 of FIG. 2 information such asthe location and length of the lane merge section 228.

The map information 622 and the lane information 624 can be stored in amap database 626, which includes a premium lane layer 628, that canprovide the information about the roadway lanes 210 in an area ofinterest around the user vehicle 212. The location interface 532 canreceive the map information 622, the user vehicle location information630, and the sensor information 638 in order to calculate a currentposition 644 and a current speed 646 of the user vehicle 212.

The location interface 532 can be a hardware device configured toidentify the current position 644 and a current speed 646 of the uservehicle 212. The location interface 532 can be coupled to a lanedetermination module 648 that can receive the current position 644, thecurrent speed 646 of the user vehicle 212, and the lane information 624in order to identify which of the roadway lanes 210 in the current road206 the user vehicle 212 is actually travelling in.

The lane determination module 648 can also receive input from a lanecamera 610, which can identify the lane position 208, monitor lanemarkings, and identify the proximately located vehicles 214 or otherobstructions. The lane camera 610 can be a hardware camera configured toprovide visual reference for the lane position 208, the markings of theroadway lanes 210, and the proximately located vehicles 214. The lanedetermination module 648 can combine the lane information 624 with avisual detection stream 612 and a camera feed 614 in order to generate alane information 650.

The lane determination module 648 can be coupled to the first controlunit 512, which can receive the lane information 650 and process thelane position information 604. The first control unit 512 can be ahardware processor, analog circuitry, a sequential state machine, ordigital application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. Thefirst control unit 512 can transfer an announcement 654, composed fromthe lane position information 604, to the first display interface 518for presentation to the operator of the user vehicle 212. The firstdisplay interface 518 can be coupled to a speaker 656 in order todeliver audio queues and a content 658, of the announcement 654, can bepresented on a display screen 660. The roadway lane guidance mechanism601 can manage the emergency alert 552 of FIG. 5 by referencing theproximately located vehicles 214, identifying the approaching emergencyvehicle 410, modifying the content 658 to better inform the operator ofthe user vehicle 212 of the emergency alert 552.

It has been discovered that the roadway lane guidance mechanism 601 canlook ahead for lane closures due to construction, accidents, naturaldisasters, or the like. The map database 626 can provide a framework ofthe number and details of the roadway lanes 210 that would normally beavailable for use. The navigation system 100, the first device 102 ofFIG. 1, the second device 106 of FIG. 1, or a combination thereof canprovide updates for the map database 626 for updating availability andchanges in the roadway lanes 210, active traffic and closure informationfor the roadway lanes 210 as well as any activity of the approachingemergency vehicle 410 of FIG. 4. By providing a look-ahead display ofthe roadway lanes 210, the roadway lane guidance mechanism 601 can guidethe user vehicle 212 in an efficient manner without being overly chattywith the audio announcements.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is a further exemplary control flow ofthe navigation system 100. As an example, the navigation system 100 caninclude a navigation processing module 602. The navigation processingmodule 602 is a hardware structure configured to generate theinformation about the lane position of the user vehicle on the currentroadway based on various sources of information.

For example, the navigation processing module 602 can generate laneposition information 604, such as the total number of the roadway lanes210 on the current roadway 206, the location of the lane delineationmarker 204 for roadway lanes 210, the lane position of the user vehicle212 on the current roadway, or a combination thereof and associatedconfidence levels. The navigation processing module 602 can generate thelane position information 604 based on sensor information 638, uservehicle location information 626, map information 622, or a combinationthereof. Details regarding generating the lane position information 604will be discussed below.

The sensor information 638 can be information recorded or measured bysensors or instruments, such as the sensor unit 640, about the area orenvironment surrounding the user vehicle 212. The sensor information638, can include various types of information regarding objectssurrounding the user vehicle 212 and can be provided in a number ofdifferent formats and states. The format of the sensor information 638can be based on the source of the sensor information 638. For example,the state of the sensor information 638 can be raw or unprocessedinformation, such as raw signals or images, partially processedinformation, or processed information. More specifically, the sensorinformation 638 can be raw or unprocessed information or partiallyprocessed information sensor readings measured or recorded by sensorunits.

The sensor units can be a device that includes sensors and detectioninstruments. For example, the sensor unit can include one or moreinstruments or sensors, such as a camera, a microphone, an infrareddetector, a radar detector, a LIDAR unit, an inertial measurement unit(IMU), or a combination thereof. The sensor units can includeinstruments and sensors attached to or integrated with the user vehicle212 or external to the user vehicle 212, such as sensors or instrumentsmounted on the side of the road. In an implementation, the sensor unitscan be a part of or coupled to the first device 102, the second device106, or a combination thereof. As an example, the sensor unit caninclude multiple instances of a sensor type integrated with or mountedat different locations in or on the user vehicle 212

The user vehicle location information 630, which is the geographic orphysical location of the user vehicle 212. For example, the user vehiclelocation information 630 can interface with the location unit 520 ofFIG. 5 of the first device 102 to determine the user vehicle location722, such as the GPS or GNSS coordinates or the longitude and latitudeof the user vehicle 212.

The map information 622 is information representing a geographic area.For example, the map information 622 can correspond to the position ofthe user vehicle 212 and can include information about travelinfrastructure, such as roads and highways; specific locationinformation, such as building addresses; geographic features, such asterrain, bodies of water, and topography; or a combination thereof. As aspecific example, the map information 622 can include roadwayinformation 624.

The roadway information 624 is details about a particular roadway. Forexample, the roadway information 624 can be information about thecurrent roadway 206 of FIG. 2. The roadway information 624 can includeinformation, such as a lane count for the current roadway 206, which isa count of the number of lanes, an estimated width of the lanes, theexistence and width of a road shoulder area, a total estimated width ofthe roadway, a speed limit, or a combination thereof. In anotherspecific example, the map information 622 can include information ofrelated roadways, such as intersections with the current roadway 206,including merge section information such as the location and length ofthe lane merge section 228 of FIG. 2. In a further example, the mapinformation 622 can include the roadway lane indicator 306 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown a control flow of thenavigation system 100. The control flow can be for determining the laneposition 208 of the user vehicle 212.

The navigation system 100 can include a map information module 710, anenvironment information module 712, a lane position module 718, aninformation presentation module 720, or a combination thereof. Theenvironment information module 712 can be coupled to the map informationmodule 710. The lane position module 718 can be coupled to theenvironment information module 712. The information presentation module720 can be coupled to the lane position module 718.

The map information module 710 is for processing the map information 622corresponding to the position of the user vehicle 212 of FIG. 2. Forexample, the map information module 710 can utilize the user vehiclelocation information 630 to determine the map information 622. As aspecific example, the map information module 710 can interface with thelocation unit 520 of FIG. 5 of the first device 102 to determine theuser vehicle location information 630, such as the GPS coordinates orthe longitude and latitude of the user vehicle 212. To continue theexample, the map information module 710 can utilize the user vehiclelocation information 630 to get the map information 622 for thegeographic area around the user vehicle 212.

The control flow can pass to the environment information module 712. Theenvironment information module 712 is for collecting information aboutthe environment around the user vehicle 212. For example, theenvironment information module 712 can process vehicle environmentinformation 730, which is information regarding objects surrounding theuser vehicle 212. For example, the vehicle environment information 730can be information about a vehicle environment, which is the environmentexternal to and surrounding the user vehicle 212, and can includeinformation about static road elements 732, dynamic road elements 734,or a combination thereof.

The static road elements 732 are fixed objects at a static locationwithin the environment around the user vehicle 212. For example, thestatic road elements 732 can be objects that are fixed or unlikely tochange position over the passage of time. As a specific example, thestatic road elements 732 can be specific to the current roadway 206,such lane markings, sign posts, road barriers, pylons, trees, orbuildings.

The dynamic road elements 734 are objects that change within theenvironment around user vehicle 212. The dynamic road elements 734 canbe objects that are in motion or are temporary within the vehicleenvironment. For example, the dynamic road elements 734 can include theproximately located vehicles 214.

The environment information module 712 can collect the vehicleenvironment information 730 in a number of ways. In one implementation,the vehicle environment information 730 can be information receivedthrough communication or interfacing with the proximately locatedvehicles 214; information accumulated from the sensor information 638 orthe sensor unit 640; information received from other sources external tothe user vehicle 212 or the first device 102, such as a computer serveror network; or a combination thereof. More specifically, the firstcontrol unit 512 can implement the first communication unit 516 with theenvironment information module 712 to communicate with devices externalto the first device 102, such a communication unit of proximatelylocated vehicles 214 or a traffic server, such as the second device 106.

In another implementation, the environment information module 712 cancollect the vehicle environment information 730 as the sensorinformation 638. For example, the environment information module 712 cancollect the vehicle environment information 730 by sending commands orrequests to the sensor unit 640 to take various readings, which can betransmitted back to the environment information module 712 as the sensorinformation 638.

The map information module 710 can receive the map information 622 fromvarious sources. For example, the map information module 710 can receivethe map information 622 stored in the first storage unit 514 of FIG. 5of the first device 102. In another example, the map information module710 can receive the map information 622 from a device other than thefirst device 102, such as an external storage unit or server, the secondstorage unit 542 of FIG. 5, or a combination thereof. The mapinformation 622 can include the roadway lane indicator 306.

The control flow can pass to the lane position module 718. The laneposition module 718 is for calculating the lane position 208 of the uservehicle 212. In one implementation, the lane position module 718 cancalculate the lane position 208 of the user vehicle 212 on the currentroadway 206 based on an initial roadway position 760 and a lateralposition shift 216 of the user vehicle 212. The lateral position shift216 is a shift in position of the user vehicle 212 that is perpendicularto the axis of travel of the user vehicle 212.

The initial roadway position 760 is the initial location of the uservehicle 212 upon entry of the user vehicle 212 on the current roadway206. For example, the initial roadway position 760 of the user vehicle212 can be the user vehicle location information 630 of the user vehicle212 upon entry of the user vehicle 212 onto the current roadway 206,such as after transitioning from an on-ramp, a street, or parking areaonto the current roadway 206.

The lane position module 718 can determine the initial roadway position760 of the user vehicle 212 with an orientation module 764. Theorientation module 764 can determine the initial roadway position 760based on the user vehicle location information 630, the map information622, or a combination thereof. For example, the orientation module 764can monitor the user vehicle location information 630 relative to themap information 622 to determine when the user vehicle 412 hastransitioned on to the current roadway 206. To continue the example, theinitial roadway position 760 can be determined over a post-transitiondistance following entry onto the current roadway 206, such as on thelane merge section 228. As a specific example, the post-transitiondistance can be a distance of 10 to 40 meters from the point of entryonto the current roadway 206, since vehicles tend to travel in theinitial lane of entry over a short distance before engaging in furtherlane change maneuvers.

The orientation module 764 can determine the initial roadway position760 based on the entry location to the current roadway 206. For example,the initial roadway position 760 can be on the right side of the currentroadway 206 when the entry location is on the right side of the currentroadway 206 and on the left side of the current roadway 206 when theentry location is on the left side of the current roadway 206.

The lane position module 718 can determine the lateral position shift216 for the user vehicle 212 with the position shift module 766. Theposition shift module 766 can determine the lateral position shift 216based on the force and duration of lateral movement corresponding to adistance of the lane width for the lane delineation marker 204 of theroad lane model 201. As an example, the position shift module 766 canreceive an inertial measurement 770 from inertial measurement unit todetermine the lateral position shift 216.

The position shift module 766 can include a determination of a shiftdirection 768 associated with the lateral position shift 216. The shiftdirection 768 is the lateral direction in which the lateral positionshift 216 occurred. As an example, the shift direction 768 can be basedon the inertial measurement 770 from the inertial measurement unit.

The lane position module 718 can calculate the lane position 208 of theuser vehicle 212 relative to the initial roadway position 760 of theuser vehicle 212. For example, the lane position module 718 cancalculate the lane position 208 relative to initial roadway position 760according to the number of lateral position shift 216 and the associatedshift direction 768. To continue the example, the lane position module718 can correlate each instance of the lateral position shift 216 andassociated shift direction 768 to the lane delineation marker 204 of theroad lane model 201. In another example, in the case that the currentroadway 206 includes a curve or bend, the lane position module 718 candetermine the change in the lane position 208 according the lack of thelateral position shift 216 or a reduced amount of the lateral positionshift 216, according to the degree of the curvature for the currentroadway 206, relative to the degree of the lateral position shift 216that would occur during the change in the lane position 208 on astraight section.

The control flow can pass to the information presentation module 720.The information presentation module 720 is for generating contentdisplayed on the navigation interface 304 to present the roadway laneindicator 306 on the display screen 660 of FIG. 6. For example, theinformation presentation module 720 can generate the content displayedon the navigation interface 304 to present the roadway lane indicator306 of the location of the roadway lanes 210 with the restriction forbicycle travel only. As another example, the information presentationmodule 720 can generate the content displayed on the navigationinterface 304 to present the roadway lane indicator 306 for vehicletraffic flow, such as a representation of lane markings of the turn onlylane bicycle lane 312; an icon or symbol representing the lane withthrough traffic lane 316; an icon or symbol representing that the lanepermits vehicles traveling in both directions of traffic such as thelimited action lane 314 for the purpose of turning. In a furtherexample, the information presentation module 720 can generate thecontent displayed on the navigation interface 304 to present the roadwaylane indicator 306 of the intersection information, such as theintersecting roadway identity 308, a representation of the distance 310to the upcoming intersecting roadway, such as the distance 310, or acombination thereof.

In yet a further example, the information presentation module 720 cangenerate the content displayed on the navigation interface 304 topresent the roadway lane indicator 306 related to the current roadway206 without cross-traffic roadways or an express highway, such asfreeway, turnpikes, toll road, or parkway. As a specific example, theinformation presentation module 720 can generate the content displayedon the navigation interface 304 to present the roadway lane indicator306 of the location of the roadway lanes 210 with the restriction forcarpool or high occupancy vehicle lanes, such as the restricted use lane402. As another specific example, the information presentation module720 can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface 304to present the roadway lane indicator 306 for vehicle traffic flow, suchas icon or symbol representing upcoming lane merges or lane endings,distance to the lane merge or ending, or a combination thereof. In afurther specific example, the information presentation module 720 cangenerate the content displayed on the navigation interface 304 topresent the roadway lane indicator 306 of highway junction informationsuch the name or number of the next highway junction 408, arepresentation of the distance 406 to the upcoming highway junction, theinstance of the roadway lane 210 for the highway junction, or acombination thereof.

The information presentation module 720 can generate the contentdisplayed on the navigation interface 304 to present the lane position208 of the user vehicle 212 on the current roadway 206, the lanedelineation marker 204 for each of the roadway lanes 210, or acombination thereof. For example, the lane position 208 can be presentedas a box labeled “current vehicle lane” 306, a graphical representationof the user vehicle 212, or other graphical icon, such as theproximately located vehicles 214, the approaching emergency vehicle 410,or a combination thereof.

It has been discovered that navigation system 100 with the Smart LaneAdvisor improves operation of the user vehicle 212. The navigationsystem 100 can present the roadway lane indicator 306 on the systeminterface 304, such as a heads up display (HUD), instrument cluster, orcenter stack, which can help a system user operating the user vehicle212 to decide which of the roadway lanes 210 to take when approachingthe intersecting roadway or the roadway junction, which improvesoperation of the user vehicle 212. Further, providing the roadway laneindicator 306 on the system interface enables the system user to betterdecide which of the roadway lanes 210 are appropriate to use, which ofthe roadway lanes 210 to avoid, and which of the roadway lanes 210 aremore advantageous at the roadway intersections without the need to havean explicit navigation route set.

The navigation system 100 has been described with module functions ororder as an example. The navigation system 100 can partition the modulesdifferently or order the modules differently. For example, the mapinformation module 710 can be coupled to the information presentationmodule 720.

For illustrative purposes, the various modules have been described asbeing specific to the first device 102 or the second device 106.However, it is understood that the modules can be distributeddifferently. For example, the various modules can be implemented in adifferent device, or the functionalities of the modules can bedistributed across multiple devices. Also, as an example, the variousmodules can be stored in a non-transitory memory medium.

As a more specific example, one or more modules described above can bestored in the non-transitory memory medium for distribution to adifferent system, a different device, a different user, or a combinationthereof, for manufacturing, or a combination thereof. Also, as a morespecific example, the modules described above can be implemented orstored using a single hardware unit, such as a chip or a processor, oracross multiple hardware units.

The modules described in this application can be hardware implementationor hardware accelerators in the first control unit 512 of FIG. 5 or inthe second control unit 534 of FIG. 5. The modules can also be hardwareimplementation or hardware accelerators within the first device 102 orthe second device 106 but outside of the first control unit 512 or thesecond control unit 534, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 5. However,it is understood that the first control unit 512, the second controlunit 534, or a combination thereof can collectively refer to allhardware accelerators for the modules.

The modules described in this application can be implemented asinstructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to beexecuted by a first control unit 512, the second control unit 534, or acombination thereof. The non-transitory computer medium can include thefirst storage unit 514 of FIG. 5, the second storage unit 546 of FIG. 5,or a combination thereof. The non-transitory computer readable mediumcan include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive, non-volatilerandom access memory (NVRAM), solid-state storage device (SSD), compactdisk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), or universal serial bus (USB) flashmemory devices. The non-transitory computer readable medium can beintegrated as a part of the navigation system 100 or installed as aremovable portion of the navigation system 100.

The physical transformation from determining the lane position 208 ofthe user vehicle 212 results in the movement in the physical world, suchas maneuvering the user vehicle 212 based on the roadway lane indicator306. Movement in the physical world, such movement of the user vehicle212, results in changes to the presentation of the navigation interface304.

It has been discovered that the navigation system 100 can improve thefree driving mode experience by showing the operator of the user vehicle212 what to expect at the next intersection. The navigation interface304 can display the roadway lanes 210 even during poor visibilityevents, such as rain, snow, fog, night, smoke, or a combination thereof.The navigation interface 304 can provide emergency guidance when theapproaching emergency vehicle 410 is shown in the display 660 of FIG. 6.The speaker 656 of FIG. 6 can provide acoustic instructions for the uservehicle 212 to clear the lane position 208 and allow the approachingemergency vehicle to pass. This and other aspects of the navigationsystem 100 can improve the safety and efficiency of driving the uservehicle 212.

Referring now to FIG. 8, therein is shown a flow chart of a method 800of operation of the navigation system 100 in a further embodiment of thepresent invention. The flow chart of the method 800 includes:determining a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive modein a block 802; identifying a restricted use lane based on a distanceand the lane position ahead on the current roadways in a block 804; anddetermining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and thelane position for displaying on a device in a block 806.

The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or systemis straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile,accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adaptingknown components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing,application, and utilization. Another important aspect of an embodimentof the present invention is that it valuably supports and services thehistorical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasingperformance.

These and other valuable aspects of an embodiment of the presentinvention consequently further the state of the technology to at leastthe next level.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown inthe accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative andnon-limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A navigation system comprising: a control unit;determine a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode;identify a restricted use lane, based on a distance and the laneposition, ahead on the current roadway; determine a roadway lane alongwith the restricted use lane and the lane position for the free-drivemode and without any guidance about which of the roadway lane on thecurrent roadway to take or which of the roadway lane to avoid; and acommunication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to:communicate the roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and thelane position for displaying on a device.
 2. The system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to identify aroadway lane indicator by monitoring a lateral shift of the deviceperforming a lane change.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe control unit is further configured to: monitor a temporaryrestricted lane including identifying an approaching emergency vehicle;and provide an announcement for a speaker and a display screen foralerting the device to perform a lane change to avoid the approachingemergency vehicle.
 4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecontrol unit is further configured to identify a proximately locatedvehicle on the current roadway by monitoring a lane camera to identifythe proximately located vehicle.
 5. The system as claimed in claim 1wherein the control unit is further configured to communicate theroadway lane includes the roadway lane displayed on a display screen ofthe device.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unitis further configured to identify the temporary restricted laneincluding identifying a lane position of an approaching emergencyvehicle as the temporary restricted lane.
 7. The system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the communication unit is further configured tocommunicate roadway lanes for a next highway junction for projecting arestricted use lane, a through lane, an exit lane, a bicycle lane, adistance to an intersecting roadway identity, or a combination thereof.8. A method of operation of a navigation system comprising: determininga lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode; identifyinga restricted use lane, based on a distance and the lane position, aheadon the current roadways; determining a roadway lane along with therestricted use lane and the lane position for the free-drive mode andwithout any guidance about which of the roadway lane on the currentroadway to take or which of the roadway lane to avoid; and communicatingthe roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the laneposition for displaying on a device.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 8further comprising identifying a roadway lane indicator by monitoring alateral shift of the device performing a lane change.
 10. The method asclaimed in claim 8 further comprising: monitoring a temporary restrictedlane including identifying an approaching emergency vehicle; andproviding an announcement for a speaker and a display screen foralerting the device to perform a lane change to avoid the approachingemergency vehicle.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 8 furthercomprising identifying a proximately located vehicle on the currentroadway includes monitoring a lane camera to identify the proximatelylocated vehicle.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprisingcommunicating the roadway lanes for displaying the roadway lanes on adisplay screen of the device.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 8wherein identifying a temporary restricted lane including identifyingthe lane position of an approaching emergency vehicle as the temporaryrestricted lane.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein thecommunication unit is further configured to communicate roadway lanesfor a next highway junction for projecting the restricted use lane, athrough lane, an exit lane, a bicycle lane, a distance to anintersecting roadway identity, or a combination thereof.
 15. Anon-transitory computer readable medium including instructions forexecution, the instructions comprising: determining a lane position on acurrent roadway for a free-drive mode; identifying a restricted uselane, based on a distance and the lane position, ahead on the currentroadways; determining a roadway lane along with the restricted use laneand the lane position for the free-drive mode and without any guidanceabout which of the roadway lane on the current roadway to take or whichof the roadway lane to avoid; and communicating the roadway lane alongwith the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on adevice.
 16. The medium as claimed in claim 15 further comprisingidentifying a roadway lane indicator by monitoring a lateral shift of afirst device performing a lane change.
 17. The medium as claimed inclaim 15 further comprising: monitoring a temporary restricted laneincluding identifying an approaching emergency vehicle; and providing anannouncement for a speaker and a display screen for alerting the deviceto performing a lane change to avoid the approaching emergency vehicle.18. The medium as claimed in claim 15 further comprising identifying aproximately located vehicle on the current roadway includes monitoring alane camera to identify the proximately located vehicle.
 19. The mediumas claimed in claim 15 further comprising communicating the roadwaylanes for displaying the roadway lanes on a display screen of thedevice.
 20. The medium as claimed in claim 15 wherein the communicationunit is further configured to communicate roadway lanes for a nexthighway junction for projecting the restricted use lane, a through lane,an exit lane, a bicycle lane, a distance to an intersecting roadwayidentity, or a combination thereof.